Bricks to Books: Education for working children

Our dedicated social mobilizers took on the challenge of reaching children trapped in the harsh realities of brick kilns. These children, often burdened by trauma, physical exhaustion, and emotional neglect, had little hope of entering a classroom. The team knew that education, combined with psychosocial care, was key to breaking this cycle, so they set out to meet with the families of children working in kilns across Faisalabad and Toba Tek Singh.

They visited each kiln and home, sitting with parents and listening to their struggles. Many families cited crushing poverty, debt bondage, and the need for every family member to earn daily wages. Others admitted they had never considered schooling as an option, fearing loss of income or lacking the documents needed for enrollment. With patience and empathy, the team explained the long-term value of education, psychosocial support, and emotional healing not just for the children but for the families themselves. They reassured parents by offering AWARD’s support through non-formal education, psychosocial care, safe learning spaces, and learning materials, guiding them through every step of the process.

Gradually, their words began to resonate. One by one, parents agreed to allow their children to join learning centers rather than remain bound to labor. On enrollment day, the atmosphere was filled with joy and relief as children who once carried bricks now carried books and schoolbags. In total, dozens of children joined AWARD’s non-formal education classes, where they received not just lessons, but also psychosocial care, emotional support, and the dignity of childhood.

Parents expressed their happiness with heartfelt words. One father shared, “I never thought my son would leave the kiln, but today he is holding a pencil instead of a brick.” A mother added with tears, “Because of this support, my children are no longer laborers; they are learners.”

The children’s smiles and laughter were a testament to renewed hope and the promise of new beginnings, all thanks to AWARD’s Bricks to Books initiative and the tireless efforts of our social mobilizers. With continued support, we can expand this impact, freeing more children from the chains of labor, addressing trauma, exhaustion, and emotional neglect, and guiding them toward education, healing, and brighter futures.